Umbrella.



. l. G. WOLFE.

^ UMBRELLA.

APPucATuoN man lune 1s, 1913.

1,1 36,386. Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

THE NoRR'ls PETERS C0, PHDTG-LITHU.. WASHINGTON. D. C.

JOHN GEORGE WOLFE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

UMRELLA.

adsense.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 262, 19115.

Application led June 18, 1913. Serial No. 774,310.

To'aZZ whom'z't may concern Be it known that I, JOHN GEORGE WoLrn, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Umbrellas, of which the following is a specification.

The invention pertains more particularly to novel rib and brace constructions, with the means for securing the upper ends of the ribs to the umbrella stick or rod and the lower ends of the braces to the runner on said stick or rod, wherebyT said ribs and braces, with the covering on the ribs, may when the umbrella has been opened and the runner released from its catch, spring to the closed position of the umbrella in a highlyeiiicient manner, said ribs and braces closely hugging the stick or rod when the umbrella is in its closed position.

`@ne object of my invention is to dispense with the ordinary wires customarily employed in hinging the upper ends of the ribs in relation to the umbrella stick or rod and also, when desired, the hinging of the'lower ends of the braces to the runner.

"One of the chief objects of my invention is to provide a new construction of ribs and braces which, adjacent to their secured ends, willV be flexed on the opening of the umbrella and act as springs tending on the release of the runner from its catch to close the umbrella closely and neatly.

A further purpose of the invention is to provide novel means for fastening the upper ends of the ribs and the lower ends ofthe braces of an umbrella and to create at the upper ends of the ribs a canopy effect'adding to the appearance of the umbrella and aiding in shedding water.

rlhe invention consists in the novel features and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed, and which will be fully'understood from the following specitlcation, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is aside elevation, partly broken away, of an umbrella stick or rod having applied thereto the features of my invention, said features being shown as partly in section and partly broken away and the umbrella covering being shown as partly in section and partly broken away; Fig. 2 is a horizontal section, through the same, partly broken away, on the dotted line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a detached perspective view of one rib with its connecting brace em- !.iodying some of the features of my invention; Fig. 4 is a face view on a larger scale of the upper end of the rib shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a detached perspective view of reinforcing spring which l preferably apply to both the upper ends of the ribs and the lower ends of the braces of the umbrella; Fig. 6 is a horizontal section through the upper portion ofthe rib on the dotted line 6 6 of Fig.. a; Figs. 7 and 8 are corresponding sections showing modified forms in which the upper portion of the rib and the lower portion of the brace may be formed; Fig. 9 is a side elevation, partly broken away and partly in section, showing a modification of the invention in respect to the upper ends of the ribs andthe means for securing the same to the umbrella stick or rod; Fig. 10 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of the upper portion of an umbrella stick or rod having a modified construction. embodying my invention, partly broken away and in section, for securing the upper' ends of the ribs in position, the ribs in this instance illustrating the open position of the umbrella; Fig. 11

is a horizontal section through the same on the dotted line 11-.11 of Fig. 10, and Fig. 12 is a view corresponding with Fig. 10 but illustrating a further modification of the invention and indicating the ribs in the closed position of the umbrella.

ln the drawings, 10 designates an umbrella or parasol Vstick or rod of any suitable or desired construction, 11 the covering fabric for the umbrella or parasol, 19. the ribs supporting said cover, 13 the braces connected with said ribs in the customary or suitable manner, 14: the runner, as a whole, on theV stick or rod 10, and 15 the usual spring catch by which in the open position of the umbrella or parasol said runner 14 is heldin its upper position.

The ribs 12 are distinctive in that at their upper ends said ribs are iattened, as at 16, to form flexible springs and also preferably corrugated, as at 17, to increase the durability of the ribs and the strength of the springs aorded by the iattened portions 16. Below the flattened portions 16, the ribs 12 may be of any of the usual constructions. At their upper ends the flattened portions 16 of the ribs are formed with heads of suitable or convenient construction,

and I preferably form these heads in the manner shown in Figs. 1, 8 and 4 by bend- Zing the upper end of said flattened portion i over upon itself, as at 18, the lower end of said bent or folded over portion serving as Va shoulder to ,cooperatev with the means hereinafter explained Vfor securing the upper ends of the ribs in position. Y

The manner of corrugating the flattened portion 16 of the ribs may vary, and in Figs. 7 and 8 1 illustrate in cross-section two modifications with respect to the corrugating, of said fiattenedportion 16 merely to 1 its lower end folded or turned over inwardly, as at 21, to form a head or shoulder to coperate with the means by which the lower ends of the braces are secured to or in the runner 14.

The meansfor securing the upper ends of the ribs 12 to the stick or rod 10 comprise a sleeve 22 secured'upon said stick Vor rod by means of a pin 23 or the like, and an eX- terior sleeve 24 which encompasses the sleeve 22 and ispreferably screw-threaded thereon, at the upper portions of said sleeves, as clearly represented in Fig. 1. The ribs 12 have theirupper-ends between the sleeves l 22, 24,- and the folded over portions 18 of said ribs, constituting shoulders, engage an annular shoulder 25 on the sleeve 22 and are conned thereon by the sleeve 24, so that said ribscannot be pulled downwardly or slipped from between the sleeves 22, 24. I preferably curve the 'lower inner edges of the sleeve 24 outwardly, as shown in Fig. 1, so

.- that on the flexing of the flattened portions 16 of theribs 12, said flattened portions may not be compelled to engage a sharp or angular edge.

i The covering fabric 11 is secured upon a shoulder 26 on the sleeve 24, and over said sleeve 24 and the upper edges of the covering fabricllis placed a thimble 87 which yissecured to the stick or rod 10 in a customaryY manner. The thimble 87 extends k above the sleeves 22, 24V and downwardly overthe upper edges of the fabric 11, and' therefore conceals said sleeves and said edges and not only adds a finish to the umbrella or parasol but aids the latter in shedding water.

An important feature of my invention resides in constructing the upper ends of the Y ribs 12 with the-flattened sections 16 having 'heads on their upper ends to be secured 1 within a sleeve or between sleeves fastened to the stick or rod 10 so that said flattened brella vor parasol be fieXed, as shown in Fig.

1, as distinguished from rhaving an ordinary hinged movement on a wire or the like, and

also so that when the runner 14 is released the ribs 12 by reasonof the flexed flattened 7 portions 16, which are of springmetahmay act to close theY ribs 12 closely against the umbrellal stick `or rod 10. It will be seen on reference to Fig. 1 thatthe flattened portions 16 of the ribs are greatly flexed during the openingof the umbrella, and that said ribs are not secured at their upper ends by a hinge but depend on the flexibility of their upper ends topermit the opening ofthe umbrella orfparasol.

Y In some cases it 1s desirable that the spring action of thefiattened portion 16 of the ribs 12 be strengthened both .to secure the quick closing action of the umbrella or parasol and to avoid danger of breakage in the upper ends of the ribs, and in these instances I clip over theupper ends of .the ribsa spring plate 27 shown Vin detail in Fig. 5, said plate ybeingv about the-width of the flattened portion 16 of the yrib and having an upper folded-over end adapted to bevpushed downwardly over thefolded-over portion 18 of the rib, as shown in Fig. 1, the body of the plate 27 being at the outer side of the fiattened portion 16 of the rib and extending below the thimble 24 so that it maycoperate with the flattened portion of the rib in resisting the opening Vaction of the umbrella orfparasol and aiding the spring action of the ribsin 1 closing, when the runner 14 is released, the 1 umbrella or parasol. The plates or strips 27 reinforce the attened portions 16 of the ribs and coperatev vtherewith in' carrying` out the purposes of my invention. f Y

-In Fig. 1 I illustratethe upper; ends of V1 the ribs 12 as provided with the reinforce platesor strips 27, and in Fig..9 I show the ribs as not providedwith the reinforce strips or plates 27, the only substantial dierence between the constructions shown in Figs. 1 1 andV 9 being that in Fig. 9 1 omit the plates or strips 27 and g show the ribs 12 inthe closed position ofV the umbrella or parasol.

The lower ends of the braces 13 are secured by means corresponding with Vthe 1 sleeves 22,24, which hold theupper ends of the ribs in place, and in Fig. 1 it will be seen 'that the lower ends ofthe braces 18 are secured below a shoulder 28 on a sleevez29 by meansof an exterior sleeve 36 threaded at l its lower end on saidsleeve 29, ajspace being aorded between the sleeves 29, 30 for the turn-over or, shoulderedends 21 of the braces or stretchers 13. Y

The Vsleeves 29, 30 prevent. the lower ends 1 of the braces 13 from escaping from the run- Y nerv14, and compel the' fiattened portions of saidl braces to become bent orflexed when the runner 14 Vis moved upwardly on the stick Vor rod 10 in thev act of opening the l umbrella. The sleeve 29 is slotted to receive the spring catch 15 as usual, so that the umbrella may be held in its open position. When the spring catch 15 is pressed inwardly'to'release the sleeve 29, the flexion of the flattened portions 19-of the braces 13 coperates with the flexion of the flattened portions 16 of the ribs 12 in quickly and neatly forcing the umbrella to its closed position. I preferably apply upon the flattened portions 19 of the braces 13, strips or plates 27 corresponding exactly with the strips or plates 27 applied to the upper ends of the ribs 12, as I illustrate in Fig. l, these strips or plates 27 adding durability to and increased spring action in the lower ends of the braces 13.

The construction and method of securing the lower ends of the braces 13 to the runner 14 obviate the employment of the ordinary wires employed for securing the lower ends of the'braces of umbrellas and parasols, and in lieu of the ordinary hinge movement of the lower ends of rigid braces, the braces of my invention are flexed at their lower ends during the opening movement of the umbrella and operate by spring action to aid in the proper closing of the umbrella. In the preferred embodiment of my invention I therefore employ corresponding features at the upper ends of the ribs 12 and lower ends of the braces 13, and while this is the preferred construction of the umbrella or parasol, I do not desire to be limited to employing corresponding features for both the ribs and braces, since the invention may be employed with advantage either at the upper ends of theribs or lower ends of the braces.

In Fig. 10 I illustrate a slight modification of the invention in which the umbrella or parasol stick or rod is numbered 31, the ribs 32 and the sleeves for securing the upper ends of the ribs to the stick or rod 33, 34, respectively. In Fig. 10 the flattened portions of the ribs 32 are numbered 35, and in lieu of the turn-over ends 18 of the ribs shown in Figs. 1 and 4, I form on the upper ends of the ribs 32 knobs 36 and rounded portions 37 to be engaged by the meeting portions of the sleeves 33, 34. The construction shownin Fig. 10 has the s'ame operation as the construction shown in Fig. 1, and it is thought that further description of Fig. 10 will be unnecessary.

In Fig. 12 I illustrate a modified construction in which 38^designates the umbrella stick or rod, 39 the flattened portions of the ribs, and 4D, 41, respectively, the sleeves by which theV upper ends of the ribs are secured to the stick or rod 33. In Fig. 12 I show above the flattened portions of the ribs, perforated sections 42v integral therewith and confined between the sleeves 40, 41 and being fastened therein by means of a wire 43 which extends through perforations in said sections. I do not prefer the construction shown in Fig. 12 but it is apparent that said construction possesses ribs having flattened upper ends which will become flexed in the same manner as the ribs 12 of Fig. 1, when the umbrella is opened, and therefore aid in the automatic closing of the umbrella when the runner is released from its catch.

It will be seen that the important features of my invention comprise the flattening of the upper ends of the ribs and the lower ends of the braces of an umbrella or parasol and so securing said ends of the ribs and braces that said flattened portions will become flexed on the opening of the umbrella and act to move the umbrella to its closed position. upon the release of the runner from its catch.

A further important feature of the invention, in securing durability and prompt action, resides in the provision of the spring metal strips or plates 27 for the upper ends of the ribs and the lower ends of the braces.

The invention will be fully understood from the foregoing description without further detailed explanation, it being indicated that the invention is not confined in every instance to the specific means that may be employed for retaining the upper ends of the ribs and the lower ends of the braces in or between the sleeves on the stick or rod and runner, respectively, so long as said ribs and braces have the flattened portions and are held by means which result in the flexing of said flattened portions during the opening of the umbrella, so that when the runner of the umbrella or parasol is released, said flattened portions may act as springs to insure the prompt and neat closing of the umbrella against the stick or rod.

l/Vhat I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is:

l. In an umbrella or parasol, ribs to receive the covering fabric having laterally extended upper end portions creating spring sections, reinforcing spring metal strips applied on said sections at the outer sides thereof, and means for rigidly securing the upper extremities of said ribs and strips to the stick or rod, whereby on the opening of the umbrella or parasol said sections and strips become flexed.

2. In an umbrella or parasol, ribs to receive the covering fabric having laterally extended upper end portions creating spring sections and thickened upper extremities creating heads, and sleeves, one within the other, on the stick or rod receiving between them and securing the upper ends of said ribs, one of said sleeves having a shoulder engaged by said heads and the outer sleeve being extended downwardly upon the ribs to said spring sections.

' 3. In an umbrella or parasol, ribs to re- -ceive the covering fabric having laterally extended' upper end portions creating spring sections and being folded over inwardly "at their extreme upper ends to form heads, and sleeves, one within the other, on the stick or 'rod receiving between them and securing the upper ends of said ribs, one of said sleeves having a shoulder engaged by said heads and the Outer sleeve being extended downwardly upon the ribs to said spring secl tions.

A 4. In an umbrella or parasohribs to receive the covering fabrichaving laterallyI interengaging screw threads by which they Y are connected together and the outer Vsleeve rendered removable from the inner sleeve.

5.. As a new article of manufacture, an individual umbrella rib having at its upper end portion a flattened spring section provided on its upper end with a head and eX-v tending laterally atfits side edges beyond the side edges ofthe body vof the rib, as de-V scribed. p Y

G. As a new article ofv manufacture,n an'individual stretcher for an umbrella havinglat its lower end portion a flattened spring section provided on its lower end with a head and extending laterally at its side-edges beyond the side edges Of the body of the stretcher, as described.

7. In an umbrella or parasol, ribs toreceive the covering fabric, a runner on the stick or rod, stretchers or braces hinged to said ribs and having laterally extended lower end portions creating spring sections, reinforcing spring metal strips applied on said sections at the outer sides thereof, and means for rigidly securing the lower ends of saidv stretchers and strips toV said runner, whereby on the Opening of the umbrella or parasol said sectionsV and strips become Y flexed. Y

Signed at New York city, in the county of New -Yorkand State of New York, thisl? th day ofJune A. D. 1913. Y

JOHN GEORGE wOLrn.

Witnesses ARTHUR MARION,

CHAs. C'. GILL.

Copies of this patent may be: obtained for five Vcents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0'. 

